-- Global data center capital expenditure surpassed $770 billion in 2025, with consumption projected to reach 1,300 terawatt-hours by 2030, which is equivalent to 4.5% of the current total world power demand, according to a report by Rystad Energy.
This buildout is reshaping global energy markets, the report said, with developers increasingly competing for grid access, gas supply and power infrastructure. Installed data center capacity has risen to 141 gigawatts and is expected to nearly double to 262 GW by 2030.
Power availability is emerging as the primary constraint, with grid interconnection timelines stretching to multiple years in key markets. This is pushing operators toward behind-the-meter generation, including gas-fired turbines, solar and battery systems, to secure a reliable supply.
In fact, Rystad estimates that around 40% of upcoming US data center capacity could involve some form of on-site or hybrid power generation, signaling a growing role for natural gas and distributed energy solutions.
At the same time, the buildout is expected to drive a sharp increase in emissions, with data center power use potentially generating close to 300 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030, which it referred to as "a major decarbonization challenge."